Friday, June 14, 2013

Women's Forum Welcomes New Board Members!

We are so happy to welcome newly elected members Erika Chambers, Carol Dell, Jennafer Greene, Lindsey Jasinski, Connie LeRoy, Lisa Lockman, Therese Smith, Abbye Tackett and Sara Talbot!  New and returning Women's Forum board members came together for the annual retreat this week.


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Election of New Board Members Underway

It's time to vote for new members of the UK Women's Forum! Go to https://iweb.uky.edu/elections/login.aspx to learn more about the candidates and cast your vote today!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Educational Assistance Award Deadlines Approaching

Are you a UK employee taking summer classes? UKWF wants to help you out! We are currently accepting applications for the Educational Assistance Award for employees enrolled in the Summer I and Summer II sessions. We award $250 reimbursements to be used for books, materials, supplies and/or fees. Application deadline for Summer I is 5/17, deadline for Summer II is 6/7. 
 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Member Spotlight: Rhonda Henry





I became familiar with the Women’s Forum board when I attended the fall conference soon after being hired at UK. While there, I met some of the board members and was so impressed by what a welcoming group they were and intrigued by their diverse roles at the University. Being a new staff member, I was excited to find a way to connect to others across campus and learn more about what UK has to offer.

The most rewarding aspect of board service has definitely been the opportunity to get to work with such a great group! This has been the perfect way for me to make new connections and work collaboratively to enrich the University. You would be hard pressed to find a better group of people to work with!

Rhonda Henry is the Intervention Program Coordinator at the Violence Intervention and Prevention Center and UKWF board member.

For those considering joining the board, we would love to have you! All talents, perspectives, and ideas are welcome and make for a strong board. If you are ready to contribute, learn and grow, nominate yourself today!We are currently accepting self-nominations for the 2013-15 term.  You can find the nomination form here.  Nominations will be accepted through 5 pm May 2nd.  During this period, we will spotlight various board members so you can "meet" some of the amazing UK staff that are part of this group.

Member Spotlight: Monica Stoch




I was very fortunate to have as my boss and mentor a woman who was part of the UK Women Administrators group that met informally in the mid-1980s.  It was this group of dynamic women that led to the formation of the UK Women’s Forum.  Ten years later, I was proud to serve on the UK Women’s Forum Board.  And I’m proud to be serving again today.

It is so rewarding to be a part of the group of women who devote so much of their energy and abilities to furthering the cause of women’s issues here at UK!  And it is especially meaningful knowing that I am continuing the work of the many women in the past who worked so hard to help improve the status of women at UK. 

Please consider joining us!  So much can be achieved when women share their strengths and efforts and work together on common goals. We’ve made great progress on women’s issues, but we need your energy and abilities to continue to move forward.  Yes, it takes courage to self-nominate.  But don’t hesitate!  GO FOR IT! 


Monica Stoch is the Assistant Director of Auxiliary Services and a UKWF board member.


We are currently accepting self-nominations for the 2013-15 term.  You can find the nomination form here.  Nominations will be accepted through 5 pm May 2nd.  During this period, we will spotlight various board members so you can "meet" some of the amazing UK staff that are part of this group.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Member Spotlight: Sarah Nikirk, Board Chair



One of my mentors asked me to consider self-nominating for the UK Women’s Forum, and honestly, at the time, I didn't think I had the time for it.  Now looking back, there was no better time to get involved.   It’s been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.  While I love working with students and their parents in my day-to-day operations in Auxiliary Services there is also something very rewarding about working with hard-working, intelligent faculty and staff who want to give back to others at the university.  

Whether you have always wanted to know more about the prestigious Sarah Bennett Holmes Award and luncheon, or to help organize a professional development conference to developing a monthly lecture series that promotes leadership to awarding employee educational assistance awards…there are so many opportunities to get involved.  I’d be remiss if I didn't mention the friendships and networking you are afforded are invaluable!

Margaret Mead once said “a small group of thoughtful people could change the world.  Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”  While some may argue that the work of the work of the UK Women’s Forum is not world changing, I would beg to differ.  Every single time you help anyone, you make the world a better place.  There is no better place to start than right here at your KY home, your University of Kentucky home.

I promise you if you get involved you will receive more than you ever give!

Don’t hesitate, self-nominate today!

Sarah Nikirk is the Associate Director of Auxiliary Services and the current UKWF board chair.


We are currently accepting self-nominations for the 2013-15 term.  You can find the nomination form here.  Nominations will be accepted through 5 pm May 2nd.  During this period, we will spotlight various board members so you can "meet" some of the amazing UK staff that are part of this group.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Member Spotlight: Pam McFarland




I joined the board in June 2011 because I felt a nudge on the shoulder to ‘get out of my comfort zone’ and get involved with others who aspire to make this university a great place to work for women as well as give back to those who have offered their time before me so that I could enjoy some of the wonderful events offered by the Women’s Forum. We have some wonderful and awe-inspiring women here at UK and I enjoy being part of that organization that helps to recognize them.

The most rewarding aspect(s!) of serving on the board has been coordinating outreach efforts in our surrounding community.  I’ve really enjoyed being part of ‘helping’ alongside my fellow WF colleagues as we represent the University. The other is being able to help recognize those in our community who model after Mrs. Sarah Bennett Holmes’ legacy.  Mrs. Holmes, who the SBH Award is named after, was a former UK Dean of Students,

My advice to a new or prospective member would be to get out of your comfort zone and meet some new faces around campus.  It’s amazing how few folks from other parts/departments from UK we get to know/meet.  We sometimes get stuck in our ‘silos’.  And to be a part of UK history by assisting in our annual events is a great feeling.  Plus, you never know what mentoring you can gain or offer!

Pam McFarland is with the College of Agriculture School of Human Environmental Sciences and a UKWF board member.

We are currently accepting self-nominations for the 2013-15 term.  You can find the nomination form here.  Nominations will be accepted through April 26th.  During this period, we will spotlight various board members so you can "meet" some of the amazing UK staff that are part of this group.